Age? It’s Just A Number Screen stars who never stop
These lovely ladies prove that ageing doesn’t need to slow you down – in fact, they show no signs of ever stopping at all!
Judi Dench
At 84, Judi Dench is busier than ever when it comes to doing the job she loves. It’s been confirmed that the ultimate Bond girl will have a cameo appearance in the new Bond film, NoTimeToDie, which will be released on April 3 next year.
The actress has starred in over 100 films throughout her career including seven Bond films playing M.
Earlier this year, Judi travelled to Asia to film a nature documentary called Wild BorneoAdventures, which saw her delve into the lush rainforests of the Malaysian island.
Later this year she will star as Old Deuteronomy in the hotly anticipated film adaptation of Cats, appearing alongside Jennifer Hudson, Idris Elba and James Corden.
Dame Judi says she will never retire and agrees that age is just a number.
“You retire in order to walk, paint or travel. All these things. Well, I get to do that. I am doing the job that I would retire to do.”
Mary Berry
When it comes to cooking, baking and how to avoid the dreaded “soggy bottom” there’s nobody better than Mary Berry.
Queen of the kitchen, she’s written over 70 cook books since her first one, TheHamlynAllColourCook Book, was published in 1970. She’d always been a popular name in the cookery world but enjoyed massive mainstream success in 2010 when she joined forces with Paul Hollywood to form one of TV’s best loved partnerships on TheGreatBritishBakeOff.
For six glorious years, Paul and Mary ruled the famous white tent, before the show made the controversial move to Channel 4 at which point Mary decided to quit.
Having sold over 5 million cook books, Mary always has something new in the pipeline – earlier this year she brought out the massively successful, QuickCooking.
On TV we’ve seen her travel the country to film Mary Berry’sCountryHouseSecrets and last year she appeared as a judge on Britain’sBestHomeCook alongside fellow chef, Dan Doherty. The chef says she’s simply too busy to retire. “There are always new ideas, new projects, new challenges, and so I don’t think I would have the time to retire.”
Angela Lansbury
From stage to screen, Angela Lansbury’s career has spanned an incredible eight decades as she marks her 94th birthday. Many would have been long since retired now but Angela won’t rule out more roles. Just last year, she co-starred in the wonderful film sequel, MaryPoppinsReturns.
“I’m always ready for anything, and I think most actors are. We never stop wanting to get out there and do it, you know?”
Hollywood Greats
Hailing from the golden age of Hollywood, there are names that take us back to one of the most glamorous times in film history. At the amazing age of 103, Olivia De Havilland has a treasure trove of memories including an Oscar nomination for her role in Gone With The Wind. Just a year younger is Kirk Douglas, who has starred in a string of Hollywood hits, including the classic Spartacus. Relative youngsters, Julie Andrews, 83, and Dick Van Dyke, 93, gave us one of Hollywood’s most beloved Hollywood screen partnerships in MaryPoppins released in 1964.
Maggie Smith
She’s been working for 67 years and Dame Maggie Smith’s appeal spans all generations thanks to the variety of roles she has played throughout the decades.
Starting out on stage, Maggie Smith soon gained a reputation as an accomplished actress. Maggie first appeared on screen in 1958 in NowhereToGo, bagging a BAFTA nomination.
Since then, we’ve seen her in everything from SisterAct in 1992 to TheBestExoticMarigoldHotel in which she played a former housekeeper in search of adventure – and a new hip – in India.
She also enchanted the younger generation as the bewitching Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films.
However, it was at the tender age of 75 that Dame Maggie took on one of her most famous roles – the Dowager Countess, Lady Violet Crawley, in DowntonAbbey. The programme was a massive success and her brilliantly delivered acerbic one-liners and words of wisdom made her character a firm favourite with the fans.
In September, Dame Maggie made a welcome return to our cinema screens when she reprised her role as Lady Violet in the long awaited big screen sequel to Downton.
Fearless and feisty as ever, we hope we won’t have to wait too long for her next appearance!